HONOLULU - TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars
on his show were arrested Thursday in Hawaii on charges of
illegal detention and conspiracy in an alleged kidnapping
three years ago.
Chapman, son Leland Chapman and associate Timothy Chapman
were taken into custody and did not resist arrest, said
Mark Hanohano, U.S. Marshal for the district of Hawaii.
"It went down without incident," Hanohano said.
Mona K. Wood, a publicist for the star of the popular cable
series "Dog The Bounty Hunter," said Chapman would be
vindicated. "He arrests the bad guys — and he is definitely
not one of them," she said.
The charges stem from Chapman's capture of Max Factor heir
Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Villarta, Mexico,
said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.
Chapman's capture of Luster, who had fled the country after
being convicted of raping three women, catapulted the
53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality
series on A&E.
The three are being held in Honolulu. Bail has not been
set. They will face an extradition hearing to Mexico under
terms of treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, Credic said.
Chapman's son Leland, 29, and Timothy Chapman, 41, no
relation, assist Chapman in exploits chronicled for the TV
show around the Hawaiian Islands. The show focuses on
Chapman's family as much as the bounty hunting, which
generally involves tracking down bail jumpers, often
creating emotional scenes with repentant captives.
Charges have been pending against the three since local
police in Mexico arrested them shortly after they roped in
Luster. They posted bail but never returned to Puerto Villarta
for their court hearing on July 15, 2003, Credic said.
Mexican authorities demanded that the Chapmans transfer
Luster to Mexican police. Their refusal to do so led to
their initial arrest.
A U.S. warrant for their arrest was signed by a federal
judge in Honolulu on Wednesday.
Raider out.
P1496